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1998 BMW 528I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 BMW 528I do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 46.

About this comparison →
33Owner complaints

Model-year median: 46

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
41
199733
199846
199942
20002
2001
Compare all 528I years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Air Bags
6Power Train
4Steering
4Structure
4Electrical System
3
All reported categories
Latches/locks/linkages
3Vehicle Speed Control
3Engine And Engine Cooling
2Exterior Lighting
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Equipment
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Seats
1Service Brakes
1Unknown Or Other
1Visibility
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 18 of 33 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
115,000 miles · Nov 29, 2010
Electrical System

THE WIRING HARNESS THAT ENTERS THE TRUNK LID THAT SUPPLIES THE LIGHTS FOR THE REAR LICENSE PLATE AND THE TRUNK LID RELEASE HAS FRAYED AT THE EXACT POINT WHERE THE HARNESS ENTERS THE TRUNK LID. THE WIRING COMES IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE SHARP EDGE AT THE OPENING IN THE TRUNK LID, AND SEVERAL OF THE WIRES HAVE BROKEN AT THIS POIN…

Read full complaint

THE WIRING HARNESS THAT ENTERS THE TRUNK LID THAT SUPPLIES THE LIGHTS FOR THE REAR LICENSE PLATE AND THE TRUNK LID RELEASE HAS FRAYED AT THE EXACT POINT WHERE THE HARNESS ENTERS THE TRUNK LID. THE WIRING COMES IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE SHARP EDGE AT THE OPENING IN THE TRUNK LID, AND SEVERAL OF THE WIRES HAVE BROKEN AT THIS POINT, RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS. IN ADDITION, THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE TRUNK LID IS OPEN EVEN THOUGH IT'S LOCKED. I PERFORMED AN INTERNET SEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL BMW MODELS.

NHTSA ODI #10368829

93,000 miles · Nov 22, 2005
Electrical SystemSteering

THE STEERING WHEEL INTERMITTENTLY MOVES UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON CONSTANTLY AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10143505

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Electrical System

ELECTRICAL HARNESS SHORTED FOR DRIVER SEAT AND STEERING WHEEL. YH

NHTSA ODI #609334

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.